Auto rental is a hot topic for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Recent study performed by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) implies that, right after lodging, leasing a vehicle is the premier price, averaging $702 for an eleven-working day getaway.
The Net is buzzing with adverse reviews talking about overcharging, very poor client support and mechanical breakdowns. You may possibly have even prepared one by yourself!
A typical midsize (three – four grown ups) 4X4 rental runs amongst $fifty eight and $sixty five daily with 3rd celebration insurance and charges can vary as much as 20 % amid automobile rental companies, so reading through a rapid review will be time properly invested as soon as you compute the personal savings.
So the query is which rental business offers the ideal balance of honest value, able buyer support and dependable autos? I’ve researched it all for you, so hold looking through!
Disclosure: This study was carried out in May – July 2013. The following businesses were chosen simply because they are the most widely utilized in Costa Rica. Some are nearby organizations others are intercontinental franchises of regarded brand names. Comparisons include: customer service, pricing and the reservation method. The firms are detailed alphabetically and not primarily based on personalized or on-line preferences.
Contemplate this data before leasing:
Insurance
A single of the most significant brings about for issues is from the stack of unexpected charges offered to the renter after standing at the rental firm’s counter. Vacationers are normally drained soon after a extended flight and then are confronted by fees that ended up not expected, described or budgeted.
Topping the listing of grievances is the non-disclosure of fees connected with the obligatory third-social gathering insurance at the time the reservation is manufactured.
In accordance to Costa Rican regulation, each and every driver is required to carry liability coverage to insure towards accidents to third parties. Car rental businesses usually refrain from disclosing the value of this coverage in the quoted rental price to seem a lot more competitive. Mandatory third-celebration insurance policy can at times be as a lot as double the vehicle’s rental value. The only promise against insurance policies confusion is to inquire if your estimate contains the 3rd social gathering insurance policy and insist on a prepared quotation.
Value of Necessary Insurance policies (also referred to as 3rd Social gathering or SLI)
Count on to pay out amongst $12 and $15 day-to-day for this insurance, dependent on the make and model of the rented vehicle and the rental auto company. This is a authorized issue of your rental settlement and is generally not lined by credit history playing cards and can not be waived. It truly is a fact of renting a automobile in Costa Rica.
automobile write for us (CDW)
As the name implies, this isn’t insurance coverage, but a waiver, which relieves the renter from any legal responsibility for injury to the rental automobile following the deductible is compensated (generally from $750 to $one,500). Some agencies call for renters to purchase their CDW plan thus negating any credit rating card program. For an further payment, many agencies do provide a zero legal responsibility choice exactly where the renter will be freed from spending for any hurt to the auto. Some organizations may put pressure on renters to obtain the zero legal responsibility protection even so, it is entirely optional, except if it is in the fine print of their rental agreement.